Kay's Cottage, Armstrong County Child Advocacy Center, PA

10/23/2026

Happy Birthday, Armstrong County K9 Loki! Thank you for keeping our community safe!🐾💙🖤🐾

Wishing our boy a Happy Birthday!!!! 💙🖤🎉🎉🎉🎂🎂🎂🍩🍩🍩

10/22/2026

We are so lucky to have such an amazing executive director! Congratulations again, Sara!!

HAVIN, Inc. is pleased to announce that Sara Thompson has assumed the position of Executive Director at HAVIN, Inc.

A native of Armstrong County, Sara began her career at HAVIN in 2011 as a shelter employee and then transitioned to a Counselor Advocate. In February 2026, Sara was promoted to the position of Assistant Executive Director and finally the position of Executive Director in August 2026, after the passing of Laurie Johns, HAVIN’s former Executive Director.

“I could not be more grateful to the Board of Directors for selecting me to lead the team at HAVIN. Our team and the work that we do for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault meets a critical need in Armstrong County and I am truly blessed to work with our staff and have the confidence of the Board. While those in our work face many challenges, we are also in the unique position of helping local residents when they are truly in crisis. I have every faith in my staff that we will continue to help those in need and expand programming, to meet the needs of the larger community. Since Laurie’s passing, our team has continued to keep her memory alive and I am grateful to have had her as my mentor and friend, as I transitioned throughout my career. I also look forward to creating new partnerships and working with new members of the community who share a like-minded vision of a community free from violence,” says Sara Thompson.

10/22/2026

Wow! PA State Rep. Abby Major, PA State Rep. Josh Bashline, and Senator Joe Pittman - THANK YOU all for your support of HB 2443! This is an extremely important step towards ensuring ALL children are able to receive the services they need to begin healing after trauma.

A lot of people see headlines in the news about child abuse occurring in their communities or hear about it from social media, but very rarely do they see all of the work those brave kids have to put in afterwards. They may need forensic interviews, medical exams, trauma therapy, or specific family services. These things are not easy, but this bill will sure make it less of a burden for many people to find!

Thank you again for being true Champions for Children, and for your support of HB 2443, Kay's Cottage, and the children of our communities. 💚💙

Thank you to Pennsylvania legislators in the House and Senate for uniting around and prioritizing child victims by passing House Bill 2443 with strong, bipartisan support.

This important step forward will strengthen funding for the services child abuse victims receive at Pennsylvania’s Children’s Advocacy Centers and help ensure that these young survivors receive the safety, justice and specialized care they deserve.

We are especially thankful to have had the advocacy of the bill’s co-sponsors, Rep. Kyle Mullins and PA State Rep. Jim Rigby, and Senator Scott Martin in strengthening and advancing the legislation throughout this process.

House and Senate leaders worked closely, across parties, to create legislation that holds offenders financially responsible for the harm they cause, while funding the very services that help children heal.

Read the full press release: https://penncac.org/house-bill-2443-clears-the-pennsylvania-senate-and-house-securing-additional-funding-for-pennsylvania-childrens-advocacy-centers-and-child-abuse-survivor-services/

10/20/2026

It is so hard to put into words what this human gem means to us here at Kay's Cottage. This is Dr. Mary Tatum, the former director of the Child Advocacy Center of Clearfield County, and now the Acting Chief Executive Officer of CenClear. On Friday, October 16th Dr. Tatum was recognized for her work in serving on the board of Children's Advocacy Centers of PA as the western region rep. Dr. Tatum is temporarily stepping out of the CAC world which is a sad time for us all. When I (Deana Kirkland, Program Manager) was a "baby" MDIT Coordinator, Dr. Tatum provided me with every resource possible to be a successful coordinator for our multidisciplinary team! But her passion for child advocacy centers and the work that we do is unmatched. Mary, THANK YOU for all that you have done for the CAC movement! You are a true advocate for children and really, of all mankind! The world truly is a better place with you in it with your care and compassion, problem-solving abilities and for your great sense of humor! Today and always, Mary, we salute you! 🥰🥰

10/20/2026

Congratulations to HAVIN, Inc!! And thank you for all that you do to support victims and survivors!

We are deeply grateful to the Armstrong County Community Foundation for awarding HAVIN a $5,500 grant at its Annual Dinner. It was an honor to stand alongside 56 other incredible organizations working to strengthen our community.

Our Executive Director, Sara Thompson, explained this generous funding will help us provide Fear 2 Freedom kits to sexual assault survivors. Each kit includes a change of clothes, toiletries, a worry stone, a Freedom Bear, resource information, a journal or coloring book, and a handwritten note of encouragement. Through our partnership with ACMH Hospital, these thoughtfully prepared kits will be available to survivors when they need comfort and care most.

Thank you to ACCF and everyone who supports HAVIN’s mission. Your compassion helps remind survivors that they are seen, supported, and never alone.

10/16/2026

........On October 15th members of the Children's Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania staff and CAC directors from across the Commonwealth gathered for the evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in State College ahead of the Quarterly Member's meeting and took a stand to support domestic violence survivors by wearing purple! We stand with you, we support you!

If you or anyone you know needs help with a domestic violence situation, please call HAVIN, Inc (Helping All Victims In Need), 1-800-841-8881, 24/7, and someone will assist you!

10/15/2026

Kay's Cottage staff and two from Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services took a stand with survivors of domestic violence on this at training In State College that was hosted by Children's Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania, Sextortion: Impact on Families and Safe Response. We wear purple to show our support and to honor their strength and courage. Left to right: Caseworker Supervisor Anna Simpson, Program Manager Deana Kirkland (Kay's Cottage), MDIT Coordinator Maggie Conte (Kay's Cottage) and Caseworker Kylie Simmons.

*If you or someone you know needs help, call HAVIN (Helping All Victims in Need), 24/7, at 1-800-841-8881. They will support you and get you the help that you need!

10/13/2026

We already posted that Elderton State Bank was a generous sponsor of the 2026 SHINE Walk, but on October 9th they took it one step further and each branch made a statement that they will stand against child abuse and support child victims / survivors!! We can't thank you enough for helping to show how vast the support system is in Armstrong County!

10/13/2026

We would like to say THANK YOU so much to West Hills Intermediate School for participating in our 2026 SHINE Walk in a very unique way! Since our walk happens during the workday, staff at West Hills Intermediate had a dress-down day on Monday, September 28th, the day of our walk. They wore yellow and collected donations that are being made to Kay's Cottage for the SHINE Walk!! 27 staff members participated and made a statement that at West Hills Intermediate, they will stand against child abuse and support child victims / survivors! We can't thank them enough! Unfortunately, there is not a photo to share, but plans are already in the works for next year! We appreciate you West Hills Intermediate!

10/06/2026

Thank you to the person who sent this generous donation to Kay's Cottage! I have a feeling the kids we see will love this!